Steelers May Lose Franchise-Altering Offensive Tackle To AFC North Rival Cincinnati Bengals

There has been a ton of focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers' current needs at wide receiver and cornerback. Both positions are expected to be targeted in the 2024 NFL Draft and perhaps on days one and two. The offensive line is another area that needs to be addressed. Broderick Jones is a natural left tackle, but is currently stuck on the right side as the coaching staff doesn't seem to believe Dan Moore Jr. can excel anywhere but on the left. Center is also a crucial need that the front office could target in the first round of the draft.

Pittsburgh could decide to hold off on the center situation with a guy such as Sedrick Van Pran expected to be available late in the third round. The tackle class is deep and several are being mocked in the first 32 overall picks. The Steelers could have a problem on their hands if they fall in love with someone at the position. AFC North rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, are one of the teams ahead of Pittsburgh that are also in need of someone on the outside.

Orlando Brown Jr. signed a massive four-year deal in free agency with Cincinnati in 2023. The blindside for Joe Burrow will be protected through at least the 2026 campaign. The right, however, has some questions marks, despite the 2024 free agency signing of Trent Brown. With the 18th overall pick in the draft, the Bengals will have the opportunity to steal a top prospect away from the Steelers. Cincinnati is already scheduling top 30 visits with linemen.

While Troy Fautanu is labeled as a left tackle, he has the athleticism to move over to the right side. Some believe he could even play guard at the next level. Brown also started his career on the right, so a selection of Fautanu gives the team options. The pursuit of quarterbacks and wide receivers early in the first round could lead to some of the top offensive linemen falling, with Fautanu being one of them.

It will be important to keep an eye on which tackles both the Steelers and Bengals meet with. A specific guy could cause Pittsburgh to jump ahead of Cincinnati in order to make sure their guy isn't headed to a division rival. Fautanu isn't the only one to look out for either. Prospects like Amarius Mims, JC Latham, Taliese Fuaga and Olumuyiwa Fashanu could all be picked in the top 20.

The last thing the Steelers will want is a franchise-altering lineman heading to Cincinnati. If Pittsburgh gets the position right, Jones and the 2024 rookie could be an incredible duo on the outside for the organization for years to come. General Manager Omar Khan and his righthand man Andy Weidl can be trusted to target the right prospects, but can't control the Bengals being just as interested. 

Steelers Neglected Offensive Linemen In 2024 Free Agency

Pittsburgh needs to upgrade the center and tackle positions. They failed to do so in free agency, which means the draft will be a critical piece for Khan as he revamps the group. There is absolutely a scenario where Cincinnati crushes the hopes of the Steelers selecting one of their top guys on the draft board. A trade up is certainly possible to avoid it, but it seems as if both teams could be targeting an offensive tackle in the first round.

Do you think the Steelers will draft a future franchise right tackle in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft? Let us know in the comments below!

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